Polybutadiene (meth)acrylate composition and method

1. A composition comprising a polymer according to Structure 1

wherein

R is H, Me, Et or C 6H 5,

R′ is H or Me,

R″ is H or Me,

n=1 to 100 and

Z=1 to 3.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein n=1 to 30.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein Z=1.5 to 3.

4. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the number average molecular weight of the polymer is from 500 to 10,000 Daltons.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer is prepared by a process comprising the reaction of a hydroxl terminated polybutadiene and an alkylene oxide.

6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the alkylene oxide is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, 2,3-butylene oxide, styrene oxide, and mixtures thereof.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the said polymer is prepared by a process comprising a transesterification reaction between a hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene resin and a low molecular weight (meth)acrylate ester.

8. The composition of claim 7 where the said low molecular weight (meth)acrylate ester is selected from methyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, n- or iso-propyl(meth)acrylate, or n-, iso-, or tert-butyl(meth)acrylate.

9. The composition of claim 7 wherein the said transesterification reaction is catalyzed by a metal alkoxide, metal oxide, Lewis acid, or other catysts or combinations known in the art to catalyze transesterification reactions.

10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the said polymer is prepared by a process comprising a direct esterification reaction of the corresponding hydroxylated alkoxylated polymer with acrylic or methacrylic acid.

11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the said direct esterification reaction is catalyzed by sulfuric acid, para-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, or other strong mineral or organic acids known to catalyze esterification reactions.

12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the said polymer is prepared by a process comprising an anionic polymerization with the alkylene oxide being added “in-situ” to the active polymerization, to form hydroxyl end groups.

13. The composition of claim 11 wherein the said polymer is alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide, with a degree of alkoxylation n defined according to claim 1 .

14. A method comprising curing a composition of claim 1 .

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the composition is radiation cured using UV or EB radiation, or is cured with peroxides Michael addition.

16. A coating, ink, or adhesive prepared by the method of claim 14 .

17. A photopolymer printing plate, sealant, caulk, encapsulent, road marking paint, photoresist, binder, impact modifier, polymer modifier, oxygen or water vapor barrier coating, conformal coating, solder mask, pigment dispersion, stereolithography, laminating resin, grafted co-polymer, composite, optical fiber coating, paper coating, metal coating, glass coating, plastic coating, wood coating, waterproofing material, electrical insulating material, automotive belt or hose, tire, engine mount, gasket, golf ball core, or rubber roll prepared by the method of claim 14 .

18. An article comprising a cured composition prepared by the method of claim 14 .

19. The article of claim 18 in the form of a photopolymer printing plate, sealant, caulk, encapsulent, road marking paint, photoresist, binder, impact modifier, polymer modifier, oxygen or water vapor barrier coating, conformal coating, solder mask, pigment dispersion, stereolithograph, laminating resin, grafted co-polymer, composite, optical fiber coating, paper coating, metal coating, glass coating, plastic coating, wood coating, waterproofing material, electrical insulating material, automotive belt or hose, tire, engine mount, gasket, golf ball core, and rubber roll.